It turns out Diebold uses a universal key to access its voting machines, meaning that anyone who has one, a minute of free time and a little know-how can steal an election without a trace. What’s worse, the company made an image of the key available on its website, allowing at least one viewer to produce multiple working copies.

California’s incoming secretary of state, Debra Bowen, says her office will conduct “a top to bottom review of every voting system in use anywhere in California.” What’s more, Bowen has indicated she is willing to decertify machines approved by her predecessor, Bruce McPherson. We can only hope Bowen’s investigation will spark a national trend.